Presidential flagbearer of Nigeria’s Labour party, Peter Obi rallied thousands of supporters in Lagos for his final campaign push.
The former governor of Anambra state appealed to the nation’s youth to come out and vote, promising a “new Nigeria” and capturing the attention of many young voters with his campaign for change.
Chants of “Obi, Obi, we will follow you” filled the air as crowds danced and waved flags at the sports stadium.
As the third force to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress party and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Obi has the support of many seeking a change from the rent-seeking politics of the old guard.
Some polls show him leading, but he faces a challenge to win over enough voters in the predominantly Muslim north.
To win the presidency, a candidate must garner the most votes and also 25% of the votes in two-thirds of Nigeria’s states.
In the past, elections have often been won by appealing to a candidate’s ethnic base, but this time many Nigerians are seeking change after eight years under the ruling APC party.
The race has become a tight three-way challenge, with APC fielding former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu and PDP fielding former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Both tout their past government experience and have brushed off allegations of corruption. However, many Nigerians are looking for a change after years of rising poverty and insecurity.
While the Labour Party may not have the national structure and state governors to mobilise voters across the country, Peter Obi’s supporters believe he is their future and the only one who tells the truth. The presidential election will hold on February 25, with nearly 100 million Nigerians set to vote for the successor to President Muhammadu Buhari.